Ancient Shani Temple Rakshasa Bhuvan, Gevrai, Beed

In Hindu Dharma, Vedic astrology holds immense significance. As soon as a person is born, a birth chart is prepared to record the positions of the celestial bodies. Thereafter, every important event is undertaken after checking for auspicious and inauspicious timings based on these planetary positions. In every person’s birth chart, a difficult period of seven and a half years, known as Sade Sati, occurs every thirty years. It is believed that by worshipping Lord Shani during this time, the severity of this difficult phase is mitigated. For the worship of Lord Shani, three full seats (Pithas) — Nastanpur in Nashik district, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, and Rakshas Bhuvan in Beed district — along with a half-seat in Beed city, are considered the three and a half supreme Shani Pithas. Among these, Rakshas Bhuvan is considered the primordial Shani Pitha. Devotees believe that seeking blessings here immediately removes the afflictions caused by Shani.

Although this holy site, situated on the banks of the Godavari, is very ancient, experts believe the current structure is not of great antiquity. Regarding the Shani Pitha, legend states that in ancient times, this area was part of the Dandakaranya forest. In this forest, two demons would invite sages for meals by disguising themselves as Brahmins. They would then turn themselves into food, enter the sages’ stomachs, and subsequently transform into rams to tear through the sages’ stomachs and emerge. When Sage Agastya learned of this, he went to the demons’ invitation himself, purified the food with mantras, and consumed it, causing the demon to die within his stomach. Another demon fled and hid in the ocean, upon which Sage Agastya drank the entire ocean to slay the demon. Thereafter, he came to Rakshas Bhuvan and established the Shani Pitha and the Navagrahas. According to another legend, after the Sade Sati period began in Lord Rama’s birth chart, he came to Rakshas Bhuvan and worshipped Lord Shani on the advice of Sage Vashistha.

This holy site is located on the banks of the Godavari River, a short distance from the village. There is a spacious parking area a short distance from the temple. Along the path from the parking area to the riverbank, there are shops selling worship materials, food items, and various other goods. As the temple is at a lower level than the road, there are steps leading down from the road to the courtyard. There is a simple welcome arch on the path leading from the courtyard to the temple, followed by more steps leading downwards. To the left of the steps is the Mandeshwar Mahadev Temple. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple houses a Shiva Linga, while the niches in the wall behind it contain idols of the planets Budha (Mercury) and Shukra (Venus). Along the wall of the steps leading from this temple to the Shani Temple, there is an idol of the planet Mangal (Mars).

Further ahead, adjacent to the riverbed, is the two-story Shani Temple. The temple has a wall at the back, but the other three sides are open. There are twelve circular pillars on all three sides of the temple. The roof of the second floor features a decorative parapet on all sides. In the center of the Shani Temple, there are four circular pillars surrounded by an iron grilled safety railing. This is the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The idol of Lord Shani is seated in the center on a Vajra Pitha, which is attached to the stone railing at the back. To the left and right of the Shani idol are the idols of Rahu and Ketu. A copper vessel is hung from the ceiling to perform Abhisheka on Lord Shani. Devotees pour water into this vessel from behind the railing—that is, from behind Lord Shani—and offer their prayers from there. The priests here explain that this tradition is followed to ensure that the malefic gaze of Lord Shani does not fall upon the devotees while they offer their prayers.

The ghats on the riverbank in the temple premises were built by Ahilyabai Holkar. There is open space around the temple along with several pavilions where rituals such as Shani Shanti, Navagraha Shanti, and various types of Janan Shanti are performed. Within the temple premises lies the Samadhi of Vitthal Sundar, one of the famous ‘three and a half wise men’ of the Peshwa era. Sardar Vitthal Sundar died in a fierce battle between the Nizam and the Peshwas at this very spot on 10 August 1763. Further ahead is the ancient Dandeshwar Shiva Temple, built in the Hemadpanti architectural style and established by Lord Dattatreya. Near this temple is the hermitage of Sage Atri and Anusuya. Legend has it that Lord Dattatreya gave his vision to Lord Rama at this very hermitage. There is an ancient Dattatreya temple here housing a single-faced idol of the Lord. It is customary to offer prayers in this temple while still wet from a bath. Next to the Dattatreya temple is the Vigyan Ganesh Temple. It is considered one of the 21 major Ganesh temples in India. It is said that the Ganesh idol in this temple was installed by Lord Dattatreya himself.

On Vaishakh Amavasya, which is Shani Jayanti, thousands of devotees come here to seek the blessings of Lord Shani. On this occasion, programs such as Maha-Abhisheka, Navagraha Puja, Shani Shanti Yaga, bhajans, and music are organized. There is a large crowd of devotees visiting for darshan on every Amavasya and Saturday. As Rakshas Bhuvan is an important pilgrimage site on the banks of the Godavari, it remains busy with devotees throughout the year. There is a special rush during the month of Shravan. The temple remains closed for darshan daily from 11 to 12 in the morning and from 6 to 7 in the evening.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery